Switch mechanism



p ,1937. H. SENGEBUSCH 2,093,251

SWITCH MECHANI SM Filed July 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

HANS SE NGEBUSC H Sept. 14, 1937. H. SENGEBUSCH SWITCH MECHANISM Filed July 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HANS SENGE BUSCH ATTORNEY.

' Sept. 14, 1937. H. SENG'EBUSCH SWITCH MECHANISM Filed July 29, 1955 4 sheets-sheet :5

R m N W m HANS SENGEBUSCH ATTORNEY.

Se t. 14, 1937. H. SENGEBUSCH SWITCH MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 29, 1935 FIG INVENTOR.

HANS SENGEBUSCH ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH MECHANISM I Application July 29, 1935, Serial No. 33,705

11 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to automatic switching apparatus, but is particularly concerned with the production of a switch in the nature of an improvement upon that type having a horizontal motion and then a rotary motion in a vertical plane at right angles to the horizontal motion.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an automatic switch of simple structure,

0 which is both rapid and accurate in its operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mounting arrangements for mounting the various switches with respect to their associated switch banks.

In the specific embodiment of the invention, the operating motor comprises a spring which is wound up during the restoring movement of the switch to replace the energy expended by a previous operation. This spring motor actuates the wiper shaft first inastep-by-step horizontal movement and then in a downward step-by-step rotary movement under the control of an escapement mechanism and a single operating magnet. A changeover magnet controls a locking arrange- 5 ment by means of which the wiper shaft is normally locked against rotary motion, normally permitting, however, horizontal movement of the ,wiper shaft. When the changeover magnet oper-.

ates the locking arrangement, the wiper shaft is then locked against further horizontal motion and is permitted to rotate.

Another object is to provide a switch of the foregoing type which may be readily modified to operate spring combinations at any desired level or combination of levels of the wipers.

One of the features of the invention relates to an improved escapement mechanism wherein a holding pawl in addition to holding the shaft in its operated positions also acts as a part of the 0 escapement mechanism in cooperation with the armature of the operating magnet.

The invention is disclosed in four sheets of drawings which show various views of the switch mechanism and mounting arrangement.

Fig. 1 shows a front view of one of the switches mounted in place on an upright carrying the. switchbanks and female jacks for such switches.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the switch mechanism. Fig. 3 is an end view of the switch mechanism looking from right to left of Fig.- 1.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the switch mechanism and upright with the switch mechanism a little to the left of its normal mounting position on the upr ht.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view as seen from line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view as seen from line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the switch frame in its mounting position on the upright on the line AA of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the upright with a switch mechanism placed in its initial position preparatory to mounting the switch on the up- 10 right in its mounting position.

Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of the wiper shaft assembly.

Figure 9A is a detailed view of the cap 42.

Figure 9B is a separate view of the sleeve 2 I. 15.

The switch frame for mounting the operating magnets and mechanisms is preferably cast in a form somewhat resembling a ladder with two side portions I and 2 and two center portions I. The base side portion 2 is shown partly in full 20 and dotted lines in Fig. 8, while the top side portion I is shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The two center portions I and I are shown more clearly in Fig. 2, while only the front portion I' is shown in Fig. 1. The changeover magnet 41 and the 25 operating magnet 48 are mounted on the rear center portion I while the changeover armature 65, the eleventh position operating lever 55, and thelevel operating levers 59 and 60 are rotatably mounted on the front center portion I. A plate 30 3 fastened to the side portions I and 2 is providedfor mounting the off normal spring assembly 53, the changeover spring assembly II, and the eleventh position spring assembly 51. An L- shaped plate 3 directly below plate 3 (see Fig. 3) 3 secured to the side portions I and 2 is provided for mounting the restoring magnets 50 and retaining spring I4 for armature I3 of the operating magnet 48. A plate 4, as seen in Fig. 2, secured to the side portions I and 2 is provided for mount- 40 ing the spring assemblies 63 and 64 operated by rubber buhings GI and 62 on the level operating levers 59 and 60. The base side portions 2 of the cast frame is provided with a key hole locking lug 46 to properly position and lock the frame to 45 the upright 8. The vertical plate I and guide plate I" are fastened to frame 2 by screws 2'. The changeover armature 65 is pivoted in a hole drilled in frame 2 and in a lug on the front portion I. The off normal armature 5I is pivoted on a'pin extending through frame 2 as shown in Fig. 5. The restoring armature is pivoted on a pin extending from frame 2 to frame I. The operating armature I3 is pivoted on a pin extending from. frame I to a lug on the rear section I. 55

The stationary changeover guide 69 is fastened to a lug on the front center section I and to the frame I by means of screws. An adjustable back stop 58 is secured to front center section I to limit the front stroke of the eleventh position armature 55 while a lug on this section limits the back stroke. The male jack assembly 99 is mounted on the rear of frame I, while near the center of frame I the operating interrupter springs II and restoring interrupter springs 84 are mounted. The frame I has a recess in which the slotted spring adjusting plate 8| is fastened to enable varying tension to be applied to spring 8| which restores the restoring armature 80. The restoring armature back stop 82 and the operating armature back stop I5 are similarly and adjustably fastened to frame I. Screw 92 extending through frame I is provided for holding a lug 93 which limits the stroke of the pawl 4I pivoted on armature 80. Pawl M is pivoted on armature 8i] and is provided with a tail 85 which strikes the adjustable stop 81 on frame I when armature 89 is restored by spring 8I in order to remove pawl 5| from the teeth 36 of the barrel 2I. The front center part of frame I has a cone shaped portion in which the sleeve 31 of barrel 2! freely rotates and around which the operating spring 43 is wound. Holding pawl 40, normally in engagement with teeth 36, is pivotally mounted in frame I and has an arm I9 which engages the lug I9 on armature I3 so that when armature I3 is operated to engage teeth 36 on barrel 21 the pawl 40 is disengaged from the teeth to permit rotation of barrel 2I. Armature 89 has a rubber bushing 63 for operating interrupter springs 84 and armature I3 has a rubber bushing I6 for operating interrupter springs 11. Changeover armature 65 has a flat restoring spring 68 which'rests against the heel piece of the changeover magnet 4'I to restore the armature.

The wiper shaft assembly shown in Fig. 9 comprises a shaft I6 upon which the elongated cam 20 is rigidly secured by means of a pin passing through the cam and shaft. 7 The cam 20 has a cut-out portion, shown more clearly in the cross section of Fig. 5, in which the changeover dog 29 of armature 65 normally rests below the notches of the sleeve 2I. This straight edge formed by the cut-out portion of cam 29 causes the operation of the eleventh position cam lever 30 in case the shaft I6 is rotated in its eleventh step. Metal washers 29' are placed over the shaft I6 on either end of elongated cam 29. Sleeve 2! has ten notches cut in the edgeof its cut-out portion, as shown, and the changeover dog 29 is raised into one of these notches when the changeover magnet 4I is operated. A portion of the sleeve 2| is bent.

into a straight edge 2| which normally slides in the slot of guide 32 fastened to plate I. By means of edge 2| and the slot in guide 32 the sleeve 2I is permitted to move horizontally but is prevented from rotating with the shaft I6. 'A metal collar 33 rigidly secured to sleeve 2I acts as a bearing in which the shaft I6 rotates. A similar flanged collar 34 fits into the right-hand end of sleeve 2! and is secured to sleeve 2! by means of screws. The flanged collar 34 also acts as a bearing for shaft I6 and is provided with an oil retaining assembly 34 comprising a felt and a metal washer. In a like manner the spacing collar 35 is provided with an oil retaining assembly 35. A metal block 22 secured to shaft I6 by-screw 23 is provided with a pin 26 upon which the swivels 25 are rotatably positioned; the pin 26 being held in block 22 by means of screw 24 (see Fig. 6) in such a manner as to allow the swivels 25 to rotate freely on the pin. A slotted barrel 27 open at one end and having a sleeve 37 (Fig. 9) at the other end permits the shaft assembly to slide horizontally and rotate freely therein. The teeth 36 cut in the periphery of the flange of sleeve 31 and pawls and 4| (Fig. 6) are the medium by means of which the barrel 27 is rotated. Barrel 21 has two spiral slots 38 and 39 cut therein. Slot 38 acts as a guide for the innermost swivel 25 to provide horizontal movement to the shaft assembly when the barrel 21 is rotated at a time when the wiper assembly is locked against rotary movement. Slot 39 is provided in order to have access to set screw 23 so that the block 22 may be properly adjusted on shaft I6. A cap 42 screws on the end of sleeve 3? and is held in place by a pin passing through cap 42 and sleeve 31. Cap 42 is provided with curved slots on its outer edge for holding the tensioned actuating escapement spring 43 at one end while the spring is held at its other end by a lug on frame I. The outermost swivel 26 rotates and slides between the edges of armature 65 and guide 69 to produce horizontal movement of shaft I6 when armature 65 is in its restored position. When armature 65 is operated dog 29 of armature 65 enters one of the notches of. sleeve 2I to prevent further horizontal movement of shaft I6 and the armature 65 is raised to permit the outermost swivel to pass under armature 65 when the operating magnet is operated to rotate the barrel 21. Since the swivels 25 are first moved horizontally and then rotated and since these swivels are secured to shaft I6 the corresponding movements are imparted to shaft I6.

Fixed to sleeve 2I is a flat plate 95 drilled with holes 91 which correspond to each horizontal stepping position of shaft I6. Studs 96 are secured in predetermined ones of the holes 9! and such such studs by engaging the rollers in levers 59 and 66 during horizontal movement of the shaft I6 rotate such levers to operate spring assemblies 63 and 64. By studs 96 in any predetermined hole 91 the level operating springs 63 or 64 may be operated at any predetermined level or horizontal stepping position of the shaft. The switch mechanisms are mounted on vertical L- shaped uprights 8-9 in a horizontal position one above the other. The side 8 of the upright 89 is bent at right-angles to the side 9 and the latter side is bent at 9 to provide a mounting space for the female-jack assemblies 44. A key-hole slot is cut in side 8 for each switch mounting space and cooperates with the key locking lug 46 fastened to the switch frame to assist in positioning and locking a switch mechanism in its proper position on the upright. In addition each switch mounting space in side 8 has a rectangular cut out portion (see Fi 8) in which the rectangular portion of plate I of the switches fit to form a tongue and groove locating means. Semi-circular openings on the edge of side 8 are provided for the switch frame rods 5 and 6 to assist in properly locating the switch mechanism. Strowger bank assemblies comprising sets of bank contacts I3 are secured to side 8 of the upright by means of bank rods I!) and II and nutsv I9 and II A locking lever II is mounted on bank rod I 0 so as to lock the bank assembly to the switch mechanism when the lever II is rotated as shown in the dotted lines of Fig. 8. The outer metal plates on the bank sets have U-shaped extensions which also act as guides'for the switch frame rods 5 and 6 so that the wipers of the switch mechanism are properly positioned with respect to the bank contacts when looking lever II is in looking position. As seen in Fig. 1, a support I4 secured to switch frame rods 5 and 6 by means of screws I4 has a bronze bearing I5 to support the shaft I6. The switch frame rods 5 and 6 extend through holes in the left side of the cast switch frame to the right side of the cast switch frame where such rods are held in place by screws 5' and 6'. This mounting arrangement was designed primarily to provide an easy means of quickly removing and replacing the switch mechanisms on the switch frame uprights to which the banks I3 are permanently mounted. In addition this mounting arrangement insures the correct positioning of the wipers with regard to the banks. In order to mount a switch mechanism in one of the mounting spaces on an upright the shaft is held in a horizontal position and the locking lug 46 is inserted in the circular por tion of the key-hole slot 45 and then pushed so that the upper edge of lug 46 (as seen in Figs. 7 and 8) engages the narrow edges of slot 45 in upright 9. As the switch mechanism is pushed to the left (Fig. 8), the rectangular portionof the plate I enters the rectangular cut out portion of upright 8 and the rods 5 and 6 enter into the semi-circular recesses in upright 6. The lever II is then rotated to lock the switch to the banks I3. The switch is now securely held in place by lug 46, guide plate I and lever II. To remove a switch the lever I1 is rotated and the switch mechanism is moved to the right until the lug 46 is opposite the circular portion of key-hole slot 45 from which point the switch may be removed.

The circuits to the magnets, wipers, and springs of the switch mechanism are taken through jack assemblies 96 and 44 to a relay group which controls the operation of the switch. Any relay group is capable of controlling any switch mechanism when connected together through the jack assemblies.

Having described the detail construction and assembly of the switch mechanism an explanation will now be given of its operation. In normal position, the shaft I6 is in such position that wipers I9 are to the right of the right-hand row, or first level, of bank contacts I3. Fig. 1 shows the shaft I6 and wipers I9 in their tenth level or the tenth horizontal stepping position. In normal position of shaft I6 the flange 34 operates arm 3I and armature 5| to close and open certain of the spring contacts in off normal spring assembly 53. In order to operate the mechanism in its first or horizontal movement the circuit to operating magnet 48 is completed from the associated relay group (not shown). In response to each impulse magnet 48 operates its armature I3 and positions its end in the rotating path of teeth 36. The lug I9 of armature I3 engages arm I9 of the holding pawl 4|! to cause the latter to rotate and disengage from teeth 36 on barrel 2'! thereby causing the barrel 2! to rotate, due to tension on spring 43, one-half step to engage the end of armature I3. When operating magnet 46 deenergizes the end of armature I3 is withdrawn from the path of teeth 36 but the holding pawl by this time is in a position to engage the t tooth with the result that another half step is taken on deenergization of magnet 46. Therefore, for each operation of magnet 48, that is, one energization and one deenergization, barrel 21 is rotated one step. Each rotary step of barrel 2'! at this time causes shaft I6 to move one step in a horizontal direction due to the outermost swivel 25 being held against rotary movement by armature and guide 69 while the innermost swivel 25 slidesin the spiral groove 38 of barrel 21 when the latter rotates one step. In this manner the shaft and wipers are stepped in a horizontal direction in a number of steps corresponding to the number of operations of magnet 48. On the first horizontal movement of the shaft, flange 34 is moved away from arm 3I to cause the offnorrnal armature 5| and off normal springs 53 to operate. In case one of the level marking studs 96 is in position corresponding to the position the shaft has stopped in then the corresponding level Sp s 63 or 64 are operated.

After the horizontal movement, changeover magnet 41 operates armature 65 above the outermost swivel 25, projects dog 29 in one of the notches of sleeve 2| and operates arm 66 and spring assembly II. Due to the projection of dog 29 in one of the notches of sleeve 2I the shaft and wipers are held against further horizontal movement. Now, when operating magnet 48 is again operated to rotate barrel 21, the shaft I6 and wipers rotate therewith since the shaft is locked against horizontal movement and the swivel is permitted to pass under armature 65 due to the energized condition of changeover magnet 41. Each operation of magnet 48, therefore, allows the escapement spring 43 to rotate the barrel 2! and shaft I6 one step, the wipers I9 being stepped in engagement with successive bank contacts I3 in the selected level, or row, by successive operations of operating magnet 48. After the first rotary step of shaft I6 the dog 29 rides on cam 26 to maintain the changeover armature in operated position.

The switch shaft I6 and wipers are restored by operations of the restoring magnet 56 which intermittently operates its armature 86 and pawl 4| to step the barrel 21 and retention spring 43. Each time armature is operated pawl 4I engages one of the teeth 36 to rotate barrel 2I clockwise as seen in Fig. 6, the locking pawl being spring actuated rides over the teeth 36 to prevent any anticlockwise movement of the barrel 21. The shaft I6 and barrel 21 are first rotated together until the outermost swivel 25 engages the guide plate 69 at which time the dog 29 is permitted to drop off of cam 20 and disengage from the notch of sleeve 2I. Further rotation of barrel 2! now causes the shaft I6 to be restored horizontally step by step until the off normal armature 5I operates the oil. normal springs to open the circuit to restoring magnet 50. Each operation of armature 86 also causes the rubber bushing 83 to operate interrupter springs 64 to open the circuit restoring magnet 50 and cause its intermittent operations. Similar interrupter springs 'I'i are controlled by bushing I6 on armature I3 of the operating magnet 48 so that this magnet may be intermittently operated if desired.

As will be seen in the foregoing the switch shaft is stepped first in a horizontal direction and then in a rotary direction to select a certain set of bank contacts and that a single operating magnet controls the escapement which produces both movements, while a changeover magnet determines when the horizontal movement is to end and the rotary movement is to begin. A single restoring magnet also restores the shaft both rotary and horizontally to normal position and retensions the escapement operating spring. The switch as shown is designed so as to be capable of directive control in both its movements, to be capable of directive control in its horizontal movement and automatic in its rotary movement, or automatic in both movements dependent upon slight circuit changes in the associated relay group. Such switch structure may therefore be used as a connector, a selector, or as a finder.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switch mechanism, a sleeve having notches, a wiper shaft rotatably mounted in said sleeve, a barrel rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spiral slot in said barrel, a swivel fixed to said shaft and slidably positioned in the slot of said barrel, a changeover armature having a straight horizontal edge and a locking arm, a second swivel fixed on said shaft and slidably positioned along the edge of the changeover armature to prevent rotary movement of the shaft, means for rotating said barrel to cause the first swivel to follow the spiral slot in the barrel and the sec-nd swivel to follow the straight edge of the changeover armature to impart horizontal movement to said shaft, and means for operating the changeover armature to position the locking arm in one of the notches of said sleeve to prevent further horizontal movement of said shaft and to raise the straight edge of the changeover armature to permit rotary movement of said swivels and shaft in response to further rotation of said barrel.

2. In a switch mechanism, a sleeve having notches, a wiper shaft rotatably mounted in said sleeve, a barrel rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spiral slot in said barrel, a swivel fixed to said shaft and slidably positioned in the slot of said barrel, a changeover armature having a straight horizontal edge and a locking arm, a second swivel fixed on said shaft and slidably positioned along the edge of the changeover armature to prevent rotary movement of the shaft, means for rotating said barrel to cause the first swivel to follow the spiral slot in the barrel and the second swivel to follow the straight edge of the changeover armature to impart horizontal movement to said shaft, means for operating the changeover armature to position the locking arm in one of the notches of said sleeve to prevent further horizontal movement of said shaft and to raise the straight edge of the changeover armature to permit rotary movement of said swivels and shaft in response to further rotation of said barrel, and a cam fixed to said shaft and rotated therewith to maintain the changeover armature in its operated position.

3. In a switch mechanism, a wiper shaft having movements in two planes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft, means for locking said shaft against movement in one plane, means for locking said shaft against movement in the other plane, and means for rotating said sleeve to move said shaft in one or the other plane dependent upon the condition of said locking means.

4. In a switch mechanism, a wiper shaft having movements in two planes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft, means for locking said shaft against movement in one plane, means for locking said shaft against movement in the other plane, and a single operating magnet for operating said sleeve to move said shaft in one or the other planedependent upon the condition of said locking means.

5. In a switch mechanism, a wiper shaft having movements in two planes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft, means for locking said shaft against movement in one plane, means for locking said shaft against movement in the other plane, a normally tensioned spring and an escapement for rotating said sleeve, and a single operating magnet for operating said escapement to rotate said sleeve to move said shaft in one or the other plane dependent upon the condition of said locking means.

6. In a switch mechanism, a wiper shaft having horizontal and rotary movements, a barrel rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spiral slot in said barrel, a swivel fixed to said shaft and slidably positioned in said slot, means for locking said shaft against rotary movement, means for locking said shaft against horizontal movement, and means for rotating said barrel to cause said swivel to follow said spiral slot and impart horizontal movement to said shaft when locked against rotation and to cause said shaft to rotate with said barrel when said shaft is locked against horizontal movement.

7. In a switch mechanism, a wiper shaft having horizontal and rotary movements, a barrel rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spiral slot in said barrel, a swivel fixed to said shaft and slidably positioned in said slot, means for locking said shaft against rotary movement, means for looking said shaft against horizontal movement, and means for rotating said barrel to cause said swivel to follow said spiral slot and impart horizontal movement to said shaft when locked against rotation and to cause said shaft to rotate with said barrel when said shaft is locked against horizontal movement, and a changeover magnet for controlling both said locking means.

8. In an automatic switch having a wiper shaft and means for moving said shaft into a plurality of positions, stationary contact spring assemblies, each including an operating member for operating the contact springs of its associated assembly, and means carried by said shaft for engaging said operating members to cause them to operate their respective contact springs as said shaft is moved, said last means comprising a plate having holds corresponding to the positions of said shaft and studs mountable in said holes as desired to engage desired ones of said operating members in desired positions of said shaft, whereby operation of the contact springs of any assembly may be secured in any position of said shaft.

9. In a switch mechanism, a spring actuated escapement wheel having teeth in its periphery, an operating armature having a bent portion for projection into the path of rotation of the teeth of said wheel when the armature is operated, a spring actuated holding pawl for said wheel controlled by said armature, means responsive to the operation and restoration of said armature for operating said bent portion and said pawl as an escapement mechanism in cooperation with said teeth to rotate said wheel step by step in one direction, a restoring pawl, means for operating said restoring pawl to engage said teeth and rotate said wheel step by step in another direction, said holding pawl holding said wheel after each step rotation in either direction.

10. In a switch mechanism, a switch shaft, an escapement mechanism for said shaft comprising a pawl and a separate armature each cooperating with the teeth on an escapement wheel, means for operating said escapement mechanism to rotate said wheel and move said shaft in two different directions, a restoring pawl, means for operating said restoring pawl to rotate said wheel step by step in the opposite direction to restore said shaft, said pawl in said escapement mechanism cooperating with said restoring pawl to hold said wheel at each restored step.

11. In a switch mechanism, an escapement wheel having teeth in its periphery, a spring actuated holding pawl therefor, an operating armature having a bent portion, means responsive to the operation of said armature for operating said holding pawl out of engagement with said teeth and for projecting the bent portion of said armature into the path of rotation of said teeth, means responsive to the restoration of said armature for restoring said holding pawl into the path of rotation of said teeth and for removing said bent portion out of engagement with said teeth, and a spring for rotating said wheel half a step until one of said teeth engages said bent portion each time the armature is operated and for rotating said Wheel the remainder of the steps until one of said teeth engages said holding pawl each time said armature is restored.

HANS SEN GEBUSCH. 

